I've been in two fights my entire life, my buttons are NOT that easily pressed, but I do know myself.

But you guys claiming that they can't be provoked make me laugh, personally I think you are full of shit :icare:

I've been in no fights in my 36 years of life, nor have I had to restrain myself from punching the lights out of someone. Believe me or not.

Likewise in my 20 years - no fights, no need. I didn't even hit the guy who thought he would stab me in the parking lot (he tapped me on the chest with the knife, mind you). As a matter of fact, I managed to leave, completely avoiding the need to defend myself. Its a lesson I learned long ago that the strongest "warrior" avoids combat completely.

And yea.. the idea of someone jogging back and forth calling my girlfriend names actually made me giggle a little bit. Someone THAT ridiculous would either be doing it out of jest or insanity, both conditions I can laugh at. Its possible that she might be offended, but it is NOT my duty as a man to prevent that. She's a strongminded woman, and I'm certain that if it really bothered HER, she'd know how to deal with it. I don't need to be the big thug who protects my woman -- this isn't the Middle Ages anymore. (Physical threats are their own category, however they are just as easy easily avoided or ignored, or defended against with equal force).

ustwo, i am astounded by your talent in finding reasons to post "hypothetical" insults about fellow TFP'rs. Is there a cause for this?

I'll defend ustwo on that action. He's just trying to 'cut close' in order for us to feel rage, and therefore understand his position. It isn't working, though.

I can be provoked... I can be angered. Mostly I keep that part of myself in check as I know nothing good would come of taking action.

In other words, to follow up on the original post, if someone were to try and provoke me, it would not be a "good thing" to counter that provocation with violence. I might hurl an insult back (meeting the provocation with a matching response) or more likely, I would just shake my head and wonder what the provocateur's problem is...

Water off a duck's back.

I just don't see it: Unless your under actual threat, how are words justified by violence?

If someone called you or your wife names and you hit them, it's assault. It is a crime.

However, all bets are off if you are actually threatened.